Still Hyping 2.5G > 1.5mbps? Wow.

1.5mbps? Wow.

Well, these networks are in the theoretical/experimental stage. So you might, if you either worked for the company...

Really, the system isn't setup yet. I know verizon has a *small* test network in San Diego and another one on the east coast but that's it. No where near nationwide yet. Its their gunny pig test market, to see how well the stuff works in "real life".

As for the other two, I haven't heard about *anything* being up and functional yet. Their technologies are still in the lab.

Actually, no....

Nextel just opened up their North Carolina trial for Flash OFDM to the public last week:

»3G Killer

Both nextel and Verizon have billions booked for a fairly speedy deployment. Now, if "fairly speedy" is anything like their fiber deployments, we'll see these services in 2010. But I think since they have fewer regulatory issues when it comes to wireless, there's no reason not to have both Flash OFDM and EvDO networks in the top 100 urban markets within 2 years.

reply to macmouse
DOH!!!! KArl you beat me to it.

reply to Karl Bode
OK guys/gals ... thx for the clarity. Sounded too good to be true. The article makes it sound like these services are established just not yet widely deployed when, in fact, they aren't established much of anywhere.

Well they are "established just not widely deployed". That's accurate.

Verizon's EvDO is in San Diego and Washington D.C. It has been reviewed and real world business users indicate it delivers the speeds it promises (upload is a little stingy, though). Likewise Lucent has received half a billion dollars from Verizon to deploy Wi-FI that piggybacks on EvDO hardware....the money is there, the technology works. Verizon has promised 30% deployment by year's end. We'll see.

The Nextel trial covers 1,300 square miles in North Carolina and is available at the moment to over a million people. That's further behind EvDO, but I've seen nothing to indicate Flash OFDM doesn't deliver. Looks pretty good, and with 20ms latency, it actually might compete with some landline providers.

Both are far beyond lab testing, but yeah, it will still be a year or two.

OK, thx Karl. I won't hold my breath 'till Nextel brings here to northern NH. Does anyone know what sorta usage caps are associated with the monthly costs mentioned?

With Nextel you can pay $75 with no usage caps, or $35 a month for a 150MB monthly cap....

I'm not sure about the Verizon offering, and I'm pretty sure AT&T Wireless's and Cingular's EDGE is unlimited....

Thx again. I'll add the Nextel forum to my favs & keep an eye on it.